Ayra Starr’s ‘The Year I Turned 21’ [Listen Now]

Ayra Starr’s highly anticipated sophomore album, “The Year I Turned 21,” has finally arrived! The superstar turned 21 on June 14, 2023, and what better way to celebrate than with a full-fledged studio album?

The Grammy-nominated singer has been generating excitement all year. In January, she hinted at the album on Beat 99.9fm’s “The Morning Rush” and released the lead single, “Commas,” in February. This empowering anthem, nominated for a BET Her award as well as Best New Artist and Best International Act, encourages perseverance in the face of rejection (“commas” symbolizing achievements). Following “Commas,” she dropped another hit, “Bad Vibes,” featuring Seyi Vibez.

Ayra Starr released her debut studio album “19 and Dangerous” in August 2021, featuring chart-toppers like “Away,” “Rush,” and “Bloody Samaritan,” which she later remixed with Kelly Rowland. “Rush” earned her a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance, making her the youngest Nigerian female artist nominated in that category.

“The Year I Turned 21” is a 15-track album featuring collaborations with Asake, Giveon, Coco Jones, Anitta, Rvssian, and Rauw Alejandro on tracks like “Goodbye (Warm Up),” “Last Heartbreak Song,” “Woman Commando,” and “Santa” respectively. The album also includes the previously released “Commas” and “Bad Vibes.”